You know how those wacky British like their shows in short bursts with beginnings, middles and ends? Well maybe that's what ABC is thinking of when they announce that Life on Mars will finish its run with its 17th episode. They're promising a satisfying sense of closure, including answers as to why Detective Sam Tyler finds himself in 1973. One theory that we're told can be ruled out is the coma that the UK original used to explain Sam Tyler's time travel. It would make the mystery kind of anticlimactic if they used the same explanation. We're also not told if Annie will finally punch Ray once and for all for being a misogynist bastard
The UK version of the series was an actual hit, but designed for the limited format completing two eight-episode runs. Meaning the US iteration, which is being canceled due to low ratings, will still run one episode longer than its successful predecessor. It was a creative decision to end the UK series after two seasons.
I do wish more US series would experiment with the limited and controlled series length idea. It's working for Lost and would allow fans to have a better idea of what kind of commitment they're looking for. It also means we don't have to deal with nearly as many filler episodes as creators try to stretch out their grand concept in hopes of renewal after renewal.
I wonder if this opens up the possibility of continuing the US version with a spin-off. Ashes to Ashes was the continuation across the pond, featuring Gene Hunt (played by Harvey Keitel here) in 1981 dealing with a new person, this time a lovely lady, sent back through time. It probably won't happen, but at least fans can check out that original sequel in the US. BBC America is bringing the first season of Ashes to Ashes stateside, starting this Saturday, March 7th, at 9pm/8pm Central. A second season is filming for air sometime in 2009.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
3-03-2009 @ 10:09AM
cdawg said...
i CANT BELIEVE YOU SPOILED THE ENDING OF THE BRITISH VERSION FOR ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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3-03-2009 @ 1:02PM
Jason Hughes said...
Hoping this is a joke! :)
The British version ended nearly two years ago! Can I spoil who shot JR?
3-03-2009 @ 1:22PM
cdawg said...
Seriously Jason - dont know about you, but I live in the US and JUST heard of the show when the US version begain to air and JUST scoured EBAY to pay a crap load of money to buy the DVDs...
Most people dont have access to British television shows!!!
dont be mean to other commenters.
3-03-2009 @ 4:02PM
Jason Hughes said...
Okay, well I'm not trying to be mean but this spoiler topic is a hot one. The show has not only aired in its entirety in the UK but it was also aired on BBC America. So it raises the question, at what point in time is it okay to blab something like this?
I raised the "Who shot JR?" question because I genuinely don't know, but I wouldn't expect people on the Internet to be secretive about it. I don't know. It's a gray are that sites like ours have lots of internal discussions about. Sorry if it came across cross.
3-03-2009 @ 10:18AM
Chadwick said...
At least it will have a conclusion. Due to ABC scrambling the episodes around and how long can this plot really go I am not totally shocked. Still disappointed. Just give me a good solid ending and I will be content.
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3-03-2009 @ 10:22AM
Jason said...
With the recent news about DVR numbers showing 30% increases for Dollhouse and SCC on Fox, wouldn't the same measuring methods paint a different picture for Life on Mars?
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3-03-2009 @ 10:36AM
Steve said...
One of the very few good new shows this season, damn you high powered tv executives.
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3-03-2009 @ 10:56AM
SassylilB said...
I am not watching any new shows on ABC! They always cancel the good ones and replace them with crap reality shows!! So once Lost is through I will not be watching anymore ABC TV!
Down with the MOUSE!!!
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3-03-2009 @ 10:52AM
JayC said...
sucks it s going to end, but I knew it wasn't going to last.
I wonder if Tyler is going to stay in 1973 and hook-up with Annie.
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3-03-2009 @ 10:54AM
Courtney said...
Yes, at least it will have a conclusion. As sad as I was that Studio 60 was cancelled, at least there was time to complete the series, even if it was in a tidy, happy, unbelievable bow.
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3-03-2009 @ 11:20AM
Zach said...
Pretty glad I stuck to my new pact of not watching any new shows (only ones I'm making an exception for this season is Fringe and Dollhouse) till they have at least one season under their belt. This one looked interesting to me, so I'm glad now I didn't get invested into it.
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3-03-2009 @ 11:34AM
rndmnme said...
#$$(*&(*&%()*&#&*^#*&#%*^%#* !!!! ABC
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3-03-2009 @ 11:34AM
LordPaul said...
re: people saying they're not watching new shows...
Yeah, cos that'll help!
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3-03-2009 @ 11:43AM
cdawg said...
exactly. If you gave a show a chance, maybe it'd get enough ratings to get off the ground.
Personally I'm glad to have watched 17 episodes of a great show, even though I'll be sad to see it go. You missed out having refused to watch a new show for fear of cancellation.
Same with My Own Worst Enemy. Even though there was no ending or resolution, I still really liked it and am glad I watched it.
3-26-2009 @ 9:16PM
vmm said...
okay, this issue is a double edged sword...networks have made a great number of viewers very, very justifiably wary of getting into new shows because of the over eagerness to can new shows....because of this, no viewers = justification to can said new shows.
Frankly, ABC has effectively made me not want to get into any of their new shows because they pulled Life on Mars, Pushing Daisies and Eli Stone.
3-03-2009 @ 11:57AM
Pamela said...
Very disappointing. Had great writing and excellent acting.
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3-03-2009 @ 12:25PM
Ian said...
I'm starting to think I should only start watching shows once their first season is over and done with. Because seriously, this is about the fifth show in five years I've gotten completely engrossed in, only to see it canceled in its first season!
Now I'm depressed.
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3-03-2009 @ 12:30PM
JPN said...
BBC America is starting the "sequel" to the British version, called Ashes to Ashes, sometime soon, I've seen ads for it.
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3-03-2009 @ 1:00PM
Jason Hughes said...
I mentioned that in my last paragraph, as well as the start date/time.
3-03-2009 @ 1:27PM
JPN said...
I should stop skimming these articles!!!